Man remains hospitalized following weekend crash

March 12, 2014

A Cape Coral driver remained hospitalized Tuesday following a serious crash over the weekend.

Collin J. Woods, 24, of 2424 S.W. 26th Place, was listed in fair condition at Lee Memorial Hospital, where he was taken after the accident Saturday at Santa Barbara Boulevard and Cape Coral Parkway.

At about 1:20 a.m., a westbound Dodge Ram and Honda CRV were stopped at the traffic light at Cape Coral and Santa Barbara. Woods was driving south on Santa Barbara in a Chevrolet Suburban.

The light turned green for the westbound traffic, and the Dodge and Honda began to pull forward. According to Cape police, Woods entered the intersection, violating the right-of-way of the vehicles.

The Chevy struck the Dodge on the rear right side, causing the Dodge to cross into the Honda's lane. The Honda was hit in the right side fender and forced into the median, where it then struck a sign.

After colliding into the Honda, the Dodge spun about halfway around before coming to a stop, the police report indicates. The Chevy traveled westbound across Cape Coral Parkway, hit a concrete wall and damaged a sign.

Police reported that Woods sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital, as was a passenger in the Chevy, Thomas C. Brown, 22. He sustained non-life threatening injuries.

As of Tuesday, Brown, of 1715 Viscaya Parkway, had been discharged from the hospital.

According to Cape fire officials, Woods was not breathing when first responders arrived. They had to open his airway and then extract him and Brown from the Chevy using the Jaws of Life equipment.

The driver of the Dodge, Rafael D. Diaz, 44, of 4401 S.W. Seventh Ave., also sustained non-life threatening injuries. Taken to Cape Coral Hospital, he had been discharged as of Tuesday.

A passenger in the Dodge and the driver of the Honda were reportedly not injured.

The accident closed the road for more than three hours overnight.

Police reported that alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash. The investigation is ongoing.